Anterior Fontanelle Size in Healthy Iranian Neonates on the First Day of Life
,
Abstract
There is limited data in the literature on the normal size of the anterior fontanelle. This crosssectional study was to determine normal values of anterior fontanelle size on the first day of life, using standard methods. Anterior fontanelle size was measured in 400 term and healthy neonates delivered at the Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Examination included assessment of head circumference, anterior fontanelle size, weight, length. Type of delivery was also recorded. The mean size of anterior fontanelle was 25.34 ± 13.27 mm, and it was established in both genders, 26.70 ± 13.19 mm in boys, and 23.67 ± 13.20mm in girls. A significant difference between the mean anterior fontanelle size in boys and girls was found (P=0.023). There was no significant difference in anterior fontanelle size between the infants born with a normal vaginal delivery and those with cesarean-section (P=0.08). There was found a significant negative correlation between the mean size of anterior fontanelle size with both weight and height (P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between mean size of anterior fontanelle and head circumference or with gestational age of infant (P≥0.05). Our results proved possible to define a references range and centile chart. The method used is simple and accurate and easy used in the routine neonatal examination.
Chang BF, Hung KL. Measurements of anterior fontanels in Chinese. Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi 1990;31(5):307-12.
Malas MA, Sulak O. Measurements of anterior fontanelle during the fetal period. J Obstet Gynaecol 2000;20(6):601-5.
Paine RS. Neurological examination of infants and children. Pediatr Clin North Am 1960;17:471-510.
Prechtl HFR. The Neurological Examination of the Full- Term Newborn Infant: A Manual for Clinical Use from the Department of Developmental Neurology. 2nd ed. London: William Heinemann Ltd.; 1977. p. 1-6, 8.
Swaiman KF. Neurologic examination of the term andpreterm infant. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, editors. Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. StLouis (MO): Mosby; 1999. p. 39-53.
Volpe JJ. The neurological examination: normal and abnormal features. In: Volpe JJ, editors. Neurology of the Newborn. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001. p. 103-33.
Faix RG. Fontanelle size in black and white term newborn infants. J Pediatr 1982;100(2):304-6.
Lyall H, Ogston SA, Paterson CR. Anterior fontanelle size in Scottish infants. Scott Med J 1991;36(1):20-2.
Mir NA, Weislaw R. Anterior fontanelle size in Arab children: standards for appropriately grown full term neonates. Ann Trop Paediatr 1988;8(3):184-6.
Adeyemo AA, Olowu JA, Omotade OO. Fontanelle sizes in term neonates in Ibadan, Nigeria. West Afr J Med 1999;18(1):55-9.
Popich GA, Smith DW. Fontanels: range of normal size. J Pediatr 1972;80(5):749-52.
Srugo I, Berger A. Anterior fontanelle size in healthy Israeli newborn infants. Isr J Med Sci 1987;23(11):1137-9.
Esmaeili M. Fontanel size from birth to 24 months of age in Iranian children. 2006.
Crelin ES. Functional Anatomy of the Newborn. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press; 1973. p. 14.
Williams PL, Warwick R, editors. Gray's Anatomy. 36th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1980. p. 345.
Pedroso FS, Rotta N, Quintal A, Giordani G. Evolution of anterior fontanel size in normal infants in the first year of life. J Child Neurol 2008;23(12):1419-23.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 49, No 8 (2011) | |
| Section | Articles | |
| Keywords | ||
| Anterior fontanelle Neonate Routine neonatal examination Normal size | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
